First Human Primary Cell miRNA Expression Integration Map Being Released on Natural Biotechnology

An international scientific association led by RIKEN has recently published a large-scale map of the first microRNA expression of human primary cells. Researchers used this collection of RNA samples established as part of the fifth edition of FANTOM to complete hundreds of human samples of microRNA library sequencing, including multiple miRNAs from untested cell types. The results of this study were published on Nature Biotechnology.

FANTOM Project was being launched in 2000 which aimed to establish a complete human gene library through taking advantage of the most advanced cDNA technology. As a large multinational collaboration program hosted by RIKEN, the final goal is to reveal how the human genome encodes different cells that make up the human body. In 2014, the research institute released the first full map of human gene activity, revealing the complex network of gene expression in different cells in the human body from a global perspective for the first time.

Our human body contains hundreds of different cell types, although every cell in each individual genome sequence is almost the same, their functional and behavioral performance differs. The difference in cellular function is accomplished by a complex regulatory network involving multiple regulatory proteins, regulatory RNAs, and miRNAs. If this regulatory network can not work well that will cause disease, especially cancer.

The Development of miRNA Expression Integration Map

At the early stages of the FANTOM program, each sample was analyzed by CAGE (conjugative assembly genome engineering), a technique developed by the RIKEN for the analysis of the precise start of RNA point. The researchers then start joint analysis of CAGE data and miRNA data to construct an integrated map of miRNA expression and a genomic regulatory region map of microRNA expression in different cell types. These data are the first to provide scientists with important information on how these regulators regulate the unique identity of each cell type.

In the releasing post, the researchers found that their identified miRNAs genome regulatory regions were highly conserved during evolution, indicating their importance in cell regulation. In addition, the researchers also found thousands of new genomic gene loci that generate short RNAs, which may be a new class of regulated short RNAs.

Michiel de Hoon, a researcher from RIKEN, said,‘We have made the expression atlas available online, and expect to have thousands of users all around the world. We believe it will be an essential resource for understanding microRNA regulation and its role in human disease.’

All the above is about the first human primary cell miRNA expression integration map. We will look forward to the further development and application of human disease research.

PharmiWeb.com is Europe's leading industry-sponsored portal for the Pharmaceutical sector, providing the latest jobs, news, features and events listings.
The information provided on PharmiWeb.com is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her
physician.